Austrian Holocaust remembrance volunteers languish

August 24, 2007 9:00am

Visas for a number of Austrian volunteers seeking placement at U.S. Holocaust remembrance institutions have been delayed and in one case denied.

In a report Thursday, the New York Times described recent delays of up to six months for four interns: one at the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust who was ultimately rejected, two at the Leo Baeck Institute in New York City and one at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. The Virginia Holocaust Museum in Richmond has given up on the program because of the difficulties.

Young Austrians may volunteer for a yearlong internship at one of 25 Holocaust rembrance institutions across the world in lieu of military service.

The problems date back four years, the Times reported. Homeland Security officials denied there was a trend, and noted that security checks had increased since the Sept. 11 2001 terrorist attacks.